Modular injection device

ABSTRACT

A modular injection device for administration of dermal filler compositions is provided. The injection device may include a handheld injector unit including a drive unit, the drive unit configured to apply an extrusion force to a fluid; a control unit remote from the injector unit, the control unit configured to control the drive unit; and a cable configured to connect the control unit to the injector unit.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/111,731, filed May 19, 2011, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/346,354 filed on May 19, 2010, theentire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by this reference.

BACKGROUND

A number of medical and cosmetic applications involve the controlledinjection of substances into the body.

A medical syringe is a simple piston pump consisting of a plunger thatfits tightly in a cylindrical barrel. The plunger can be pulled andpushed along inside the barrel, allowing the syringe to take in andexpel a fluid through an orifice at the distal open end of the barrel.The distal end of the syringe is typically fitted with a hypodermicneedle to transdermally introduce the fluid in the barrel into the bodyof a patient. Syringes are often used to administer injections.Surprisingly, other than the materials used to make them, the typical,conventional disposable syringes used for administering the advancedinjectable substances or medicaments of today, are much the same as thevery earliest syringe designs.

Unfortunately, the classic syringe/needle system is far from optimal forthe administration of today's injectable aesthetic compositions.Hydrogel-based dermal fillers can be quite difficult to inject using theconventional syringe/needle system or conventional injection techniques.Many dermal fillers are by their nature highly viscous, thus requiringrelatively high extrusion forces, especially when injected throughpreferred fine gauge needles. Moreover, these materials are typicallyinjected into the face to correct wrinkles, including fine wrinkles aswell as other minor defects in skin, and are therefore must be sometimesinjected in trace amounts, and always with very high precision.Interestingly, these dermal fillers are commonly introduced into skinusing quite standard needle and syringe combinations.

Using a traditional syringe, physicians are required to supply possiblysignificant force, which may reduce the practitioner's ability tocontrol the syringe. Further, traditional syringes typically require theuser's hand to be placed a significant distance from the site of theinjection in order to operate the plunger, which may also lead toinaccuracy. Automated injection machines, which supply the forcerequired to perform the injection using a motor, may reduce some ofthese problems. However, some motorized injection devices have thedisadvantage that they may be heavy and bulky, requiring, for example, abattery which may add significantly to the weight of the device. Thisadded bulk and weight may lead to a lack of control because of userfatigue, etc.

Systems have been developed and described for facilitating injection ofdermal fillers. One such system is described in Mudd, U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/994,568, filed Jan. 24, 2011, commonly ownedherewith, the entire disclosure of which being incorporated herein bythis reference. Mudd describes a handheld, motorized dermal fillerinjector that is capable of dispensing viscous injectable material at alow flow rate, for example, in some instances, a flow rate of only 0.001ml/sec, at the high pressures necessary to extrude the fluid though afine gauge needle.

The present invention provides an improved system for injecting dermalfillers, or other materials into skin, for example.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides easy to use, highly accurate,programmable, user-friendly injection systems that have numerousbenefits over conventional injection systems.

In one aspect of the invention, a modular injection system is providedwhich generally comprises a handheld injector unit including a grippablehousing including a distal end having a coupling portion, and a driveunit contained within the housing, and a separate control unit, remotefrom the injector unit, the control unit including acontroller/processor configured to control the drive unit. The systemmay further comprise a syringe or cartridge, couplable to the couplingportion of the grippable housing, and containing an injectable fluid,such as a hyaluronic acid-based dermal filler. The injector unitincludes a movable plunger driven by the drive unit and is extendable ina distal direction to cause extrusion of the injectable fluid from thecartridge when the cartridge is coupled to the coupling portion.

Advantageously, the handheld injector unit component of the presentinvention is lightweight and easy to manipulate and grip. Many of theheavier components of the system are housed in the separate controlunit. In some embodiments, the control unit includes a display, forexample, a visual display screen for displaying useful information tothe user, for example, amounts of fluid in the cartridge, amounts offluid already dispensed from the cartridge, rate of injection of fluid,or other information. In some especially advantageous embodiments, thecontrol unit is mountable to a user's arm or wrist to allow the user toview the display while operating the injector unit within the same fieldof vision.

In some example embodiments, the control unit may be powered by anelectrical power source; and the handheld injector unit may drawelectrical power from the power source using the cable. In other exampleembodiments, the control unit may further include a control unit body; adisplay in communication with the control unit; and an input device incommunication with the control unit.

In some example embodiments, the input device may be configured toreceive the user input indicating the injection rate; and the displaymay be configured to display the injection rate indicated by the userinput. In still other example embodiments, the display may include avideo display screen configured to display information indicating avolume of fluid injected.

In yet further example embodiments, the injector unit may furtherinclude a sensor configured to measure a physical parameter that iscorrelated with the volume of fluid injected; and the display may beconfigured to display the volume of fluid injected responsive toinformation received from the sensor.

In some example embodiments, the control unit may further include awrist strap configured to attach the control unit to a user's wristduring use. In other example embodiments, a side of the control unitbody may be shaped to conform to a user's wrist.

In another example embodiment, the control unit may further include aconnector, disposed on the control unit body, configured to connect thecontrol unit to the cable. In yet another example embodiment, the cablemay be permanently attached to the control unit.

In still another example embodiment, the injector unit may furtherinclude an injector unit body; a syringe housing disposed at a proximalend of the injector unit body; a needle mount disposed at a proximal endof the syringe housing; and an input device configured to trigger aninjection.

In some example embodiments, the drive unit may be configured to extrudefluid from a syringe disposed in the syringe housing, through the needlemount. In other example embodiments, the drive unit may be configured tocause a fluid to be extruded responsive to a user interaction with theinput device. In further example embodiments, the input device is aninject button and the drive unit may be configured to stop causing thefluid to be extruded responsive to an indication that the inject buttonhas been released.

In some example embodiments, the injector unit may further include asyringe loading door, hinged to the injector unit body, configured toallow loading of a syringe when the door is open.

In yet other example embodiments, the syringe housing may betransparent, configured to allow a user to view a syringe disposedwithin the housing.

In some example embodiments, the cable may be permanently attached tothe injector unit.

In still other example embodiments, the injector unit may furtherinclude a connector, disposed on the injector unit body, configured toconnect the injector unit to the cable.

Some example embodiments may provide a modular injection device, whichmay include a handheld injector unit including an injector unit body; amotor housed in the injector unit body and configured to apply anextrusion force to a fluid; a syringe housing disposed at a proximal endof the injector unit body and configured to hold a syringe; a needlemount disposed at a proximal end of the syringe housing; and a plungerconfigured to be driven into the syringe housing by the motor. Theinjection device may also include a control unit remote from theinjector unit, configured to receive a user input indicating aninjection rate and configured to control the motor responsive to theuser input indicating the injection rate, the control unit which mayinclude a control unit body; an electrical power source configured tosupply electrical power to the control unit and the injector unit; adisplay in communication with the control unit; and an input device incommunication with the control unit and configured to receive the userinput. In addition, the injection device may include a cable configuredto connect the control unit to the injector unit.

Further example embodiments provide a modular injection device, whichinclude a handheld injector unit which may include an injector unitbody; a drive unit housed in the injector unit body and configured toapply an extrusion force to a fluid; a syringe housing disposed at aproximal end of the injector unit body and configured to hold a syringe;a needle mount disposed at a proximal end of the syringe housing; afirst wireless device; and a first electrical power source configured tosupply power to the injector unit. The injection device may also includea control unit remote from the injector unit configured to receive auser input indicating an injection rate and configured to control thedrive unit responsive to the user input indicating the injection rate,the control unit which may include a control unit body; a secondwireless device configured to wirelessly communicate with the firstwireless device; a second electrical power source configured to supplyelectrical power to the control unit; a display in communication withthe control unit; and an input device in communication with the controlunit and configured to receive the user input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be more readily understood from a detaileddescription of example embodiments taken in conjunction with thefollowing figures:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example injector device in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example injector device in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic view of an example injector device inaccordance with an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example injector device in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example injector device in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary injection system in accordance with anexample embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates how to use the system illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 also illustrates how to use the system illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 again illustrates how to use the system illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 10 illustrates a back view of a base station for housing an unusedsystem illustrated in FIG. 6 according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 11 illustrates a top perspective view of a base station housing anunused system illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 12 illustrates a top perspective view of an empty base station asillustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 13 illustrates the internal components of an example injectordevice.

FIG. 14 further illustrates the internal components of an exampleinjector device.

FIG. 15 further illustrates the internal components of an exampleinjector device.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example retention mechanism.

FIG. 17 illustrates an example control unit.

FIG. 18 shows a back view of the control unit illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 illustrates exemplary internal components of the control unitillustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 20 illustrates further exemplary internal components of the controlunit illustrated in FIG. 17.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of an injector unit component of a systemin accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a control unit component of a system inaccordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a cartridge and needle component of asystem in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As explained above, a number of medical and cosmetic procedures involvethe controlled injection of liquids, gels, and other fluids. Forinstance, procedures involving the injection of botulinum toxin or theinjection of dermal fillers, may require highly controlled injections.In such instances, it may be advantageous to perform the injection withan automated injection device. Using such devices, users need not supplythe force which extrudes the injectable fluid though the needlethemselves. Rather the device may supply that force, and may extrude thefluid at a user controller rate, leaving the user free to concentrate onthe injection itself, e.g. positioning of the needle. Such devices,however, are typically significantly more bulky then traditionalsyringes, including control hardware, motors, power sources, etc. Theadditional size and weight may reduce user control, e.g. fatiguing theuser, and increasing the distance between the user's hand and the pointof the injection. Example embodiments may address such problems byproviding modular injector devices designed to reduce the size andweight of the portion of the device which is held in the user's hand.

Accordingly, dermal filler injector systems are provided, exemplaryembodiments thereof being illustrated in FIG. 1. The system 10 mayinclude a handheld injector unit 101 and a separate control unit 102.The two units 101 and 102 are in communication with each other. Forinstance, the units may be connected together wirelessly, or with acommunication cable, a power cable, or both 103.

The injector unit 101 may include a body 120 having a grippable housing124, which may be made of any suitable material, e.g. metals,thermoplastics, thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), silicones, glass, etc.,or any combination of materials. The body 120 may be shaped tocomfortably accommodate a user's hand. For instance, as shown in thefigure, the body 120 may form a grip, which may allow a user to securelygrasp the injector unit 101. As shown in FIG. 1, the body 120 itself mayhave one or more protrusions near a distal end of the injector unit body120, which may, for example, prevent a user's hand from sliding forwardwhen in use. Similarly, the injector unit body 120 may have one or moreprotrusions near a proximal end, which may prevent a user's hand fromsliding backwards. In addition, a portion of the injector unit body 120designed to be gripped may be textured to provide a secure grip, or maybe covered in a layer of material designed to provide a secure grip.Another system 10′ having an alternative injector unit 101′ is shown inFIG. 2. In this particular design, the injector unit body 120′ is moreof a pen-style shape and will be discussed hereinafter with reference toFIG. 4. Injector unit 101′ may be substantially identical to injectorunit 101, except for the body shape and as discussed elsewhere herein.

Turning back to FIG. 1, the injector unit 101 may be designed to attachto and operate a standard needle and syringe combination. Alternatively,the injector unit 101 is designed to be couplable to a removablecartridge 121 having a needle though which the injectable material maybe extruded. For instance, the injector unit 101 may provide anysuitable attachment to cartridge 121, for example, a luer slip or luerlock attachment. The needle itself may have any suitable gauge, forexample, a gauge between about 10 and about 33.

The injector unit 101 may provide a syringe housing 122 on which thecartridge 121 or syringe may be secured, although, in other embodiments,a needle is attached directly to the injector unit body 120 which housesa chamber containing a fluid to be injected. The syringe housing 122 maybe, for example, substantially in the form of a tube, which may, at adistal end, connect to the injector unit body 120 and, at a distal end,connect to the needle mount 121. The syringe housing 122 may be designedto hold a syringe 123, for example a disposable, pre-filled syringe 123.The syringe housing 122 may be all or partially transparent, allowing auser to view the syringe 123 during operation. For example, the syringehousing 122 may provide a user with a view of both a syringe 123 in thehousing and also a syringe plunger which may extrude fluid from thesyringe 123 when the device is in operation.

The injector unit 101 may also contain an injection drive mechanism, asshown in FIG. 3. For instance, in injection drive mechanism may includea motor 301 which may be configured to push a syringe plunger throughthe syringe 123. As the syringe plunger moves through the syringe 123,the pressure exerted by the plunger may cause the material in thesyringe 123 to be extruded through the needle 121. In other exampleembodiments, other drive systems may be used. For instance, someembodiments may use a pump to extrude the fluid, or may use pressurizedsyringes, controlling the injection with a valve, etc. The injectiondrive unit may be capable of delivering a force sufficient to extrudeviscous and non-viscous liquids and gels through a needle 121 ofstandard size. For example, the injection drive mechanism may be capableof applying a force of up to about 100 N, and extruding material at arate within a range of about 0.001 mL/sec to about 1 mL/sec. The syringehousing 122 may provide users with a view of the plunger in operation,over the entire length which the syringe plunger may travel during use.

In example embodiments, the motor 301 may be housed within the injectorunit body 120. The motor 301 may be any suitable electric motor capableof supplying the necessary force. In addition, the motor 301 may beattached to a plunger via a drive mechanism, which may function totransfer the rotational motion of the motor 301 into the linear motionof the plunger. The plunger itself may also be housed within theinjector unit body 120. When in operation, however, the plunger mayextend into the syringe housing 122 and the syringe itself 123, causingthe fluid in the syringe 123 to be extruded.

The injector unit 101 may also include a syringe retention and ejectionmechanism. The mechanism may facilitate loading of, e.g., pre-filled,disposable syringes 123. The mechanism may also provide for the rotationof syringes 123. In example embodiments syringes may be loaded though aloading door.

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the pen-style injector unit 101′,discussed briefly hereinabove, may have a loading door 401 formed in theinjector unit body 120. The door 401 may be hingedly attached to thebody 120, e.g., near the distal end of the injector unit 101, and mayrotate from a latched position, shown in FIG. 2, to an open position asshown in FIG. 4, to allow for the loading and ejection of fluid filledcartridges or standard syringes 123. The injector unit 101′ may be fullysealed to prevent fluid from entering housing, for facilitatingmaintenance of the system 10′.

The injector unit 101 may contain a control system, seen in FIG. 3,which may be a portion of a control system for the entire device. Forinstance, the injector unit 101 may include a controller/processor 302which may control the functioning of the injector unit 101 and may alsofacilitate communication with the control unit 102. The processor 302may be any suitable processor unit of a kind normally used in suchdevices. Such a processor 302 may have an integrated memory and/orstorage system or distinct memory or storage systems may be provided inthe injector unit 101. In addition, the processor 302 may be incommunication with other components which may be included in theinjector unit 101.

For instance, the injector unit 101 may include a number of sensors. Asillustrated, the injector unit 101 may include a syringe inserted sensor303. Such a sensor 303 may detect whether a syringe 123 is inserted inthe syringe housing 122. The syringe inserted sensor 303 may prevent theinjector unit 101 from attempting to perform an injection without asyringe 123 properly loaded. The injector unit 101 may include othersensors as well. For example, as illustrated, the injector unit 101 mayinclude a home sensor 304, which may detect whether the injector unit101 is in a home state.

Further, the injector unit 101 may also include a rotation encoder 305.The rotation encoder 305 may be connected to the motor 301, and may becapable of sensing the rotation of the motor 301. For example, the motor301 may rotate a portion of the encoder 305. The rotation encoder 305may be an encoder of any suitable kind. The encoder 305 may be incommunication with the processor 302 and may transmit state informationto the processor 302, allowing the processor 302 to control the motor301. Based on signals from the encoder 305, the processor 302 may beable to determine the position of the syringe plunger.

The injector unit 101 may also include a motor driver 306. The motordriver 306 may be in communication with both the processor 302 and themotor 301. The motor driver 306 may provide the systems necessary tocontrol the operation of the motor 301. Based on input from the controlunit 102, the sensors 303, 304, the encoder 305, etc., the processor 302may direct the motor 301 through the motor driver 306, which in turn maycontrol the extension of the plunger and thus the injection.

The injector unit 101 may also include a user feedback display 307,which may, in some embodiments, provide the user with information duringthe injection process. For instance, the display 307 may provide thetotal volume of fluid that has been injected up to that point in theprocess, the rate at which it is being injected, etc., or may displayerror indicators in the case of a malfunction.

The injector unit 101 may also include user input devices. For example,the injector unit may include an inject button 308. The inject button308 may be located on the injector unit 101 in a position which isconveniently accessible by a user's fingers or thumb during injection.The inject button 308 may start and stop the injection process. Forexample, once the syringe 123 is loaded, and the control unit 102 isproperly configured, the user may perform an injection with the injectorunit 101. To do so, the user may press and hold the inject button 308 tobegin the injection, and may release the button 308 to stop theinjection. In other embodiments, the inject button 308 may work in otherways. For instance, the user may press the button 308 once to begin theinjection and a second time to stop the injection. The inject button 308may be in communication with the processor 302, which may control theinjector unit 101 in response to a signal from the inject button 308.

The inject button 308 itself may be constructed of any suitable materialand may take any usable form. In addition, like the door 401, the injectbutton 308 may be sealed. For instance, the injector unit 101 mayinclude a seal disposed on the button 308 itself, or on the body 120 ofthe injector unit 101, etc., which may create a seal between the button308 and the injector unit body 120.

The injector unit 101 may also be attached to a cable 103. For instance,a cable 103 may pass through an aperture formed in the injector unitbody 120. The cable 103 may include multiple wires, including wires usedfor communication and power. The wires may connect to components housedin the injector unit 101. For instance, the power wires may attach to apower supply system, which may supply power to the motor 301, processor302, and other components of the injector unit 101. The communicationwires may connect to the processor 302. Connections may be made usingany suitable technology. For instance, the wires may be soldereddirectly to components of the injector unit 101, or may be attachedthrough connectors, etc. The cable 103 itself may be held in place bythe injector unit body 120, and may form a seal with the injector unitbody 120. In such a configuration, the cable 103 may be permanentlyattached to the injector unit 101. In other embodiments, however, thecable 103 need not be permanently attached. For instance, some exampleembodiments may provide a connector on or in the injector unit body 120,to which the cable 103 may be attached when in use.

The device may also include a control unit 102. The control unit 102may, for example, also be portable. For instance, the control unit 102may be designed to be strapped to the user's wrist via a VELCRO® strapor other typical strap or connector, or it can be attached to a chair,table or any surface. The strapping mechanism can be any mechanism knownin the art, for example, a clasp, a buckle, a snap, a button, or thelike. In other embodiments, the control unit 102 may not be portable,e.g. the control unit 102 may be a fixed unit into which the injectorunit 101 may plug.

The control unit 102 may serve a number of functions, includingproviding power and electronic control signals through the cable 103 tothe injector unit 101, which may, e.g. control and power the motor 301of the injection drive mechanism.

As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 102 has a control unit body 130,which may provide a housing for the control unit components 102. Thecontrol unit body 130 may be shaped to be comfortably strapped to auser's wrist, or arm. For example, a bottom side of the control unit 102may be curved in order to conform to the shape of a user's wrist. Asnoted, the body 130 may also include a strap which may be used to attachthe control unit 102 to a user, for instance a VELCRO® strap, or anotherkind of strap. In other embodiments, the control unit 102 may be shapedto attach to other places, for example, a table, etc. Further, in someembodiments, the shape described herein may be formed by one or moreremovable mounting pieces, which may be attached to the body 130 of thecontrol unit 102, and which may be shaped to mount the control unit 102to different objects, e.g. a user's wrist, a table, etc.

The control unit 102 may include an LCD screen 131, or other display,which may be located on a front of the control unit body 130, and whichmay allow a user to interact with the system. The display 131 maypresent a user with control information and may provide an interface,using which the user may control the operation of the device. Forinstance, as shown in FIG. 1, the display 131 may be configured todisplay a number of pieces of information, such as the volume ofmaterial that has been injected, the volume of fluid remaining in thesyringe 123, the speed of the injection, battery charge, etc. Inaddition, other information may be displayed to facilitate differentfunctions. For instance, the display 131 may also be configured todisplay configuration screens, or summary information, etc. In someexample embodiments, the display can be in communication with, forexample, the control unit and receive signals therefrom.

In addition, the control unit 102 may also include a keypad, or otherinput device, e.g. a dial, switch, etc. The keypad may include multiplebuttons 132 which allow users to access and control the functions of thedevice. For example, the keypad buttons 132 may allow a user to controlthe speed and volume of the injection, or may allow the user to setother parameters related to the injection process. In addition, thecontrol unit 102 may allow for other functions as well, for example,allowing a user to review historical use data, maintenance information,etc. The buttons 132 that make up the keypad may take any reasonableshape and configuration. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 1, anumber of buttons 132 may be provided on the control unit body 130,located generally around the display 131. In some embodiments thelocation of each button 132 may be coordinated with portions of thedisplay screen 131. For example, if, as illustrated, injection speed isdisplayed at the bottom of the display screen 131, buttons 132controlling the display speed may be located under the display 131. Ofcourse, the buttons 132 provided may perform different functions basedon context. In addition, in other embodiments the control unit 102 maybe equipped with a touch screen.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control unit may have a processor 310,which may facilitate the functions of the control unit. The processor310 may be connected to the input and output devices, for example, thedisplay 131 and the keypad buttons 132. The processor 310 may beconfigured to provide a user interface using the display 131 andkeyboard buttons 132. Further the processor 310 may be capable ofsending signals to the injector unit 101, and receiving signals from theinjector unit 101. Thus, the control unit 102 may send signals to theinjector unit 102, which may, e.g., be used to control the motor's 301rotation, based on the injection speed set using the control unit 102.In addition, the control unit 102 may receive signals from the injectorunit 101, based on, e.g., information gathered by the encoder 305, whichmay allow the control unit 102 to calculate and display the volume offluid injected, etc.

In addition, the control unit 102 may include a power system. Forexample, the control unit 102 may house a battery 311, or other powersource, e.g. a rechargeable battery, fuel cell, etc., which may belocated inside the control unit body 130. In one embodiment, the poweris electrical power. The battery 311 may provide power to the controlunit 102 and to the injector unit 101, via the cable 103. The battery311 may be connected to the control unit 102 in any reasonable manner.For example, the battery 311 may be permanently connected, e.g.soldered, or may be connected through a connector. In the later case, adoor may be provided in the control unit body 130, which may allowaccess to the battery 311 for removal and replacement. As the battery311 is typically a significant part of the overall weight of such asystem, providing the battery 311 in the control unit 102, reduces theweight of the injector unit 101, and thus may improve user control.

In addition, the control unit 102 may include a battery charger 312. Thebattery charger 312 may be capable of charging the battery 311 whenconnected to an external source of electricity. For example, the controlunit 102 may include a connector, which may allow the control unit 102to connect to a source of electrical power, such a standard 120 or 240 VAC power source. Of course, the control unit 102 need not connect tosuch a power source directly. Rather the control unit 102 may connect toa power adaptor or supply system, which may in turn connect to theprimary power source. In addition, any suitable connector may beprovided, e.g. in the body of the control unit 102, for connection tothe external power source. In some embodiments, the same connector maybe used to connect the control unit 102 to the cable 103 when in use.

As noted, the control unit 102 may be in communication with the injectorunit 101 via the cable 103. Thus, the control unit 102 may provide aconnector 133 using which the cable 103 may connect to the controlunit's 102 systems. For instance, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a connector133 may be provided at the top of the control unit 102, though theconnector 133 may be placed in any suitable location. The connector 133may be designed to connect securely with a complementary connector 501attached to the end of the cable 103, as shown in FIG. 5. In order toensure that the cable 103 does not separate during use, a lockingmechanism may be provided, which secures the connection when engaged. Inother embodiments, however, the cable 103 may be permanently attached tothe control unit 102.

It is noted that, in other example embodiments, a cable need not beused. For example, in some example embodiments the injector unit 101 maybe in wireless communication with the control unit 102 during use. Forinstance, each unit 101, 102 may include a wireless device, e.g.transmitter and receiver, which may be of any suitable type. During use,a communication channel may be established between the injector unit 101and the control unit 102, using the wireless devices. Once established,the wireless communication channel may be used to exchange informationand control signals between the units 101, 102 as it would be exchangedusing an embodiment with a cable. Because wireless communications have agreater chance of being disrupted than communications over a cable, theinjector unit 101 may be configured to react if wireless communicationshould be lost. For instance, the injector unit 101 may poll the controlunit 102 periodically to sense whether it is in wireless communicationwith the control unit 102. Should a poll fail, the injector unit 101 maybe configured to stop operation, to continue operation using locallystored configuration parameters, to activate an alarm, etc.

In a system using a wireless communication channel, the injector unit101 may also include a power source, for example a battery, fuel cell,etc. In addition, the injector unit 101 may include the systemsnecessary to maintain the power source. For example the injector unit101 may include a battery charger, and may be equipped to connect to anexternal power source.

In addition, some example embodiments may support both wireless andcabled communication. For instance, the injector unit 101 and controlunit 102 may each include wireless devices and cable connectors. In suchembodiments, the wireless devices may not be used when the units 101,102are connected via cable. In addition, the injector unit 101 may beconfigured to house an optional power source. For example, the injectorunit 101 may be configured to draw power over a cable, when attached thecontrol unit 101 via cable. In this case, the optional power source neednot be installed in the injector unit 101, reducing the weight of theunit. However, should the wireless devices be used for communicationinstead of the cable, the optional power source may be installed in theinjector unit 101, which may be configured to draw power directly fromthe power source when in that configuration.

As with the injector unit 101, the control unit 102 may be sealed inorder to allow for wipe down cleaning. For instance, seals may beprovided for the cable connector 133, the buttons 132, and any otherlocation where the control unit body 130 may open.

An exemplary system 600 according to the present description isillustrated in FIG. 6. System 600 generally includes, for example,injector unit 601, including an internal drive unit (not shown in thisFIG) and separate control unit 602 remote from the injector unit 601.The control unit 602 includes a controller/processor such as describedelsewhere herein, configured to control the drive unit. The injectorunit 601 and control unit 602 are in communication with one another, forexample, are electrically connected by line or wire 603. Control unit602 includes strap 604 which allows connection to a user's wrist.Control unit 602 further includes a bank of control buttons 606 forcontrolling functions of the system through, for example, a menu drivensystem displayed on LCD screen 605.

The injector unit 601 includes a grippable housing 610 having anenlarged distal end 612 a having a coupling portion 614.

The system 600 may further includes a cartridge 618 sealingly couplableto the coupling portion 614 of the grippable housing 610, and containingan injectable fluid. The cartridge 618 may be fitted with a needle orcannula 620 of a suitable gauge. In this embodiment, the injector unit610 includes a movable plunger (not visible in FIG. 6) driven by thedrive unit and extendable in a distal direction, into the cartridge 618,to cause extrusion of the injectable fluid from the cartridge 618, forexample, out of the distal tip of the needle 620, when the cartridge 618is coupled to the coupling portion 614. In the embodiment shown, theenlarged distal end 612 is defined by substantially opposing, laterallyextending flanges 626. The injector unit 601 includes substantiallyopposing ejection buttons, or triggers 628, configured to enableejection of the cartridge from the coupling portion 614, for example, bysimultaneous pressing of the triggers 628 by the user. As shown, eachflange 626 includes one of the substantially opposing triggers 628.

System 600 can be used as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9. For example, system600 is used as a right-handed system, meaning injector unit 601 ishandled in the right hand 702 and controller unit 602 is strapped to theright wrist 703. In other embodiments, the system can be a left handedsystem. Injector device 601 is held in right hand 702 such that firstdigit 704 rests on or near injection button 705. Second digit 706 andthird digit 707 rest comfortably on top portion 708 of injector device701. Left hand 709 is used, for example, to drive bank of controlbuttons 606 or to detach control unit 602 from base 710 attached tostrap 604. It can be appreciated from FIG. 9, that the control unit 602,mountable to a user's arm or wrist, allows the user to view the controlunit 602 while operating the injector unit 601 within the same field ofvision.

In another embodiment, system 600 can be used with base station 1000,illustrated in FIGS. 10-12. Base station includes injector unit 601storage slot 1001, control unit 602 charging dock 1002, and strap 604post 1003. Storage slot 1001 includes removable cleaning plug 1004 whichcan be removed from base station 1000 and attached directly to injectorunit when the injector unit needs cleaning. Charging dock 1002 includesplate 1005, or alternately individual magnets, and charging contacts1006 used to charge control unit 602. Base station 1000 further includesport 1007 which can accommodate, for example, a power cable to chargeinjector unit 601 and/or control unit 602 and/or transfer data to orfrom either device. Base station 1000 can be wall mounted using wallmount slots 1008 or can be placed on a tabletop assisted by cushions1009.

Exemplary internal components of injector device 601 are illustrated inFIGS. 13-16. Injector unit 601 includes inject button 1301 and cartridgeeject buttons 628. FIG. 13 further illustrates first retention mechanism1303 and second retention mechanism 1304 which hold a cartridge in placeuntil it is ejected. Drive screw 1305 is driven by motor 1306 andcontrolled by circuit board 1307. Drive screw 1305 further drivesmovable plunger 1308 and inject button 1301 actuates pressure sensitivebutton 1309 as illustrated in FIG. 14. The movable plunger 1308 may beextendable beyond the distal end of the injector unit housing 610 tomove fluid in the cartridge distally.

Optionally, injector device 601 can include LED indicators (not shown)for indication of injection speed. Injection speed can be indicated oninjector device 601 or control unit 602 by, for example, with one ormore LED indicators or other illuminating indicators.

Non-limiting internal components of control device 602 are illustratedin FIGS. 17-20. Control device 602 includes magnets 1701 which hold theunit to strap 604 or charging dock 1002. Charging contacts 1702 allowunit charging by contact with, for example, charging contacts 1006 onbase station 1000. Information about the device, for example, modelnumber, serial number and the like can be placed at label position 1703.

FIG. 19 further illustrates strain relief 1704 which prevents flexuralstrain on cable 103 (a strain relief can also be included on injectordevice 601). Battery 1705 is housed just below magnets 1701 within theunit. Control of the unit itself is accomplished using printed circuitboard 1706 which is housed opposite battery 1705. Further included incontrol unit 602 are power button contact 1707, LCD screen 605, andcapacitance sensing board 1708.

EXAMPLE Modular Injector System in Accordance with an Embodiment of theInvention Injector Unit

The injector unit 1810 is a hand held a syringe-like device, as shown inFIG. 21, and it is compatible with specially designed 2 mL cartridges1812 (shown in FIG. 23) containing a hyaluronic acid based dermalfiller. The injector unit 1810 includes a cartridge slot 1816 thathouses proximal end of the cartridge 1812. A plunger rod 1818 inside thecartridge slot 1816 is electromechanically moved forward inside theinjector unit 1810 to extrude the cartridge contents when inject button1819 is pressed. Eject buttons 1820 are provided for ejecting a spentcartridge. LED lights 1824 on the injector unit light up according tothe extrusion rate during use. One, two, three or four lights illuminatewhich correspond to very low, low, medium, and fast extrusion rates.

Wrist Unit

The control unit 1840, shown in FIG. 22, contains a battery and housesthe software which controls the extrusion speed of the dermal fillerfrom the cartridge 1812 (FIG. 23). It is permanently connected to theinjector unit 1810 by a cable 1844. The wrist unit 1840 includes adisplay screen 1850, “OK/Yes” button 1852, “Scroll” button 1854,“No/Cancel/Exit” button 1856 and power button 1860. The control unit1840 attaches magnetically to a wrist strap 1862.

Cartridge

The 2 mL cartridge 1812 for containing an injectable fluid such as adermal filler, for example, Juvéderm Ultra Plus XC gel formulation,available from Allergan, Irvine, Calif., is shown in FIG. 23. Thecartridge 1812 is made of cyclic olefin copolymer (COC). The cartridge1812 includes a cartridge ring 1850, which seals the cartridge 1812 intothe cartridge slot 1816 of the injector unit 1810. In this exemplaryembodiment, the cartridge 1812 does not include a plunger or fingergrips and cannot be used apart from the injection unit 1810. Thecartridge 1812 is provided with a 30 G×¾″ needle 1854.

The system, including injector unit 1810, control unit 1840 andcartridge 1812, is capable of extruding Juvéderm gel at 4 preset speeds:very low, low, medium and high. A fifth, dynamic speed, setting isavailable which allows injection of the entire range of speeds, fromvery low to high, depending on the amount of pressure exerted on the“Inject” button of the Injector Unit. Lighter pressure on the “Inject”button of the Injector Unit will correspond to a lower injection speedand higher pressure will correspond to a higher injection speed. Theapproximate corresponding flow rates are shown in the Table 2.

These flow rates were determined based on evaluating physician's typicalextrusion rates.

TABLE 2 Injection Rates Speed Setting Injection Rate (mL/minute)* VeryLow 0.30 Low 0.60 Medium 0.90 High 1.20 Dynamic 0.30-1.20 *APPROXIMATEINJECTION RATE

Although the present disclosure has described the inventive injectorsystem generally as being especially advantageous for administration ofdermal fillers, it is to be appreciated that the system is also usefulfor injection of other substances. For instance, systems of the presentinvention may be used to administer agents such as botulinum toxin, aninjectable substance, which is used for cosmetic and medical purposes.For example, a controlled quantity of botulinum toxin must be injectedinto a patient's body in a controlled, precise manner, often in verysmall amounts. The required precision and accuracy may be achieved usingan example injector device according to the invention.

For example, a patient may seek treatment for a medical condition, e.g.blepharospasm (“excessive blinking”), from a qualified physician. Insome cases, the condition may be treated with a controlled injection ofa substance, in the example case, a controlled injection of botulinumtoxin into the muscle tissue to be treated. In order to perform such aninjection, the physician may use an example injector device describedherein. For example, the physician may strap a control unit to his orher wrist. The physician may then attach the cable of an injector unitto the control unit, and may use the control unit to configure thesystem. For instance, the physician may select an injection speed usingthe control unit and may select other parameters.

The user may then load a syringe into the injector unit. For instance,the physician may select a pre-filled syringe filled with botulinumtoxin, which may be inserted into the injector unit using a loadingdoor. Once loaded, the physician may also attach a needle to theinjector unit. For instance, the physician may select an appropriateneedle for the given procedure and may attach that needle to theinjector unit, e.g. using a luer lock connection.

The injector unit may then be ready for use. The physician may proceedto identify an area of the patient's body for injection. For instance,the physician may locate a muscle which may be causing the patientdiscomfort. The physician may then insert the needle into the desiredlocation and may depress the inject button. When the inject button isdepressed, the motor in the injector unit may turn, driving a plungerinto the syringe and extruding the material in the syringe through theneedle, at a rate controlled by the parameters selected using thecontrol unit.

While the injector unit is extruding material, the control unit maydisplay information relating to the injection process. The injector unitmay also display information relating to the injection process, forexample, but not limited to, LEDs that illuminate sequentially as theinjection rate increases. For example, the user may be able to read thequantity of material injected off the display. Once the desired amounthas been injected, the physician may release the inject button, stoppingthe injection process, and remove the needle from the patient. Ifanother location is to be injected, and sufficient material remains, theprocess may be repeated, until material has been injected into all ofthe areas to be treated, or the syringe has been emptied.

The used syringe may then be removed from the device and discarded,along with the needle. The control unit may be disconnected from theinjector unit, and both units may be cleaned. In other embodiments, thecontrol unit and injector unit may be permanently attached to eachother. In addition, the control unit may be plugged into a power sourceto recharge the battery if necessary.

In the preceding specification, the present invention has been describedwith reference to specific example embodiments thereof. It will,however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be madethereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of thepresent invention. The description and drawings are accordingly to beregarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities ofingredients, properties such as molecular weight, reaction conditions,and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understoodas being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly,unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth inthe specification and attached claims are approximations that may varydepending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by thepresent invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit theapplication of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims,each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of thenumber of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary roundingtechniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameterssetting forth the broad scope of the invention are approximations, thenumerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported asprecisely as possible. Any numerical value, however, inherently containscertain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation foundin their respective testing measurements.

The terms “a,” “an,” “the” and similar referents used in the context ofdescribing the invention (especially in the context of the followingclaims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural,unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.Recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as ashorthand method of referring individually to each separate valuefalling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, eachindividual value is incorporated into the specification as if it wereindividually recited herein. All methods described herein can beperformed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein orotherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and allexamples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein isintended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose alimitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No languagein the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimedelement essential to the practice of the invention.

Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each groupmember may be referred to and claimed individually or in any combinationwith other members of the group or other elements found herein. It isanticipated that one or more members of a group may be included in, ordeleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability.When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is deemedto contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written descriptionof all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

Certain embodiments of this invention are described herein, includingthe best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Ofcourse, variations on these described embodiments will become apparentto those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoingdescription. The inventor expects skilled artisans to employ suchvariations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention tobe practiced otherwise than specifically described herein. Accordingly,this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subjectmatter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicablelaw. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in allpossible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unlessotherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

In closing, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the inventiondisclosed herein are illustrative of the principles of the presentinvention. Other modifications that may be employed are within the scopeof the invention. Thus, by way of example, but not of limitation,alternative configurations of the present invention may be utilized inaccordance with the teachings herein. Accordingly, the present inventionis not limited to that precisely as shown and described.

What is claimed is:
 1. A modular injection system for administration ofinjectable fluids, the system comprising: a handheld injector unitincluding a grippable housing including a distal end having a couplingportion, and a drive unit contained within the housing; a wrist strap; aseparate portable control unit, remote from the injector unit, thecontrol unit including a controller/processor configured to control thedrive unit and configured to be secured to the wrist strap; and acartridge, couplable to the coupling portion of the grippable housing,and containing an injectable fluid; the injector unit including amovable plunger driven by the drive unit and extendable in a distaldirection to cause extrusion of the injectable fluid from the cartridgewhen the cartridge is coupled to the coupling portion.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the control unit further includes an input deviceconfigured to receive user input to program the controller/processor toset an injection rate for the fluid from the cartridge.
 3. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the control unit is removably connectable to the wriststrap.
 4. The system of claim 3 wherein the control unit is removablyconnectable to the wrist strap by magnetic elements.
 5. The system ofclaim 1 further comprising a charging dock configured to receive boththe injector unit and the control unit.
 6. The system of claim 1 furthercomprising a cable connecting the control unit to the injector unit. 7.The system of claim 1 wherein the injector unit includes substantiallyopposing triggers configured to enable ejection of the cartridge fromthe coupling portion.
 8. The system of claim 7 wherein the injector unithousing includes an enlarged distal end defined by substantiallyopposing, laterally extending flanges and each flange includes one ofthe substantially opposing triggers.
 9. The system of claim 1 whereinthe cartridge includes a cartridge ring sealingly engagable with thecoupling portion.
 10. The system of claim 1 wherein the movable plungeris extendable beyond the distal end of the injector unit housing. 11.The system of claim 1 wherein the control unit is mountable to a user'swrist to allow the user to view the control unit while operating theinjector unit within the same field of vision.
 12. A modular injectionsystem for administration of injectable fluids, the system comprising: ahandheld injector unit including a grippable housing including a distalend having a coupling portion, and a drive unit contained within thehousing, a separate portable control unit, remote from the injectorunit, the control unit including a controller/processor configured tocontrol the drive unit; a cartridge, sealingly couplable to the couplingportion of the grippable housing, and containing an injectable fluid;the injector unit including a movable plunger driven by the drive unitand extendable in a distal direction beyond the distal end of thegrippable housing and into the cartridge to cause extrusion of theinjectable fluid from the cartridge when the cartridge is sealinglycoupled to the coupling portion; an input device, on the portablecontrol unit, configured to receive user input to program thecontroller/processor to cause extrusion of the fluid from the cartridgeat a desired injection rate; and a wrist strap removably connectable tothe control unit for enabling the control unit to be coupled to a user'swrist during the user's operation of the injector unit.
 13. The systemof claim 12 wherein the control unit is removably connectable to thewrist strap by magnetic elements.
 14. The system of claim 12 wherein theinjector unit includes substantially opposing triggers configured toenable ejection of the cartridge from the coupling portion.
 15. Thesystem of claim 14 wherein the injector unit housing includes anenlarged distal end defined by substantially opposing, laterallyextending flanges and each flange includes one of the substantiallyopposing triggers.
 16. The system of claim 12 wherein the control unitwhen mounted to a user's wrist, allows the user to view within the samefield of vision the control unit and operation of the injector unit.